Parents to West Perry superintendent: Resign

POINTED CRITICISM -- Sean Duncan, a West Perry parent, aimed his criticisms of the school district directly at Superintendent Michael O'Brien (third from right) at the March 1 meeting.Jim T. Ryan photo

West Perry School District's three-month silence on a student's threat of violence provoked the ire of parents and students at a special meeting at the high school on March 1. Many called for Superintendent Michael O'Brien, and others, to be held accountable.

Speakers accused administrators of failing to follow district policies and outlined a pattern of neglect on the part of the administration in addressing serious issues -- from bullying to sexual and racial harassment.

The administration called the March 1 meeting after the revelation on Feb. 19 that a 14-year-old student allegedly had created a "kill list" of 34 students and staff in the district last November. The district called police immediately when it was found. Police determined the accused student did not take any actions to carry out the threat.

However, the district did not notify either people whose names appeared on the list or the community until last month and then only after a parent sent an email to board members, state representatives and media outlets. By then, the district attorney's office already had notified people on the "kill list."

"I want to apologize that you're here under these circumstances," O'Brien said in his opening remarks.

He went on to discuss the events in what scant detail he was legally allowed to use, and ultimately took responsibility for the communication breakdown.

"If you're angry about anything at West Perry School District, that's on me," he said.

O'Brien vowed to improve communication with parents and the community in the future.

Lt. Randy Kane, commander of the Newport state police station, took some responsibility for failures to notify those whose names appeared on the list. That happened because they were not interviewed immediately after the alleged threat was discovered.

The investigating officer had enough to file terroristic threat charges even without those interviews, but Kane said the interviews should still have been conducted.

"It was discovered late that victims were not notified," Kane said. "The state police at Newport would like to apologize."

He said police responded immediately and their investigation turned up no imminent threat.

Parental anger didn't dissipate even after those concessions. Addressing O'Brien and high school principal Christopher Rahn, Joyce Rogers, the mother who sent the email said: "You sir, and Mr. Rahn, need to be held accountable for your negligence. In my opinion, you should both be removed from the schools here at West Perry."

Rhonda Campbell addressed her comments to the school board, which was informed of the threat during an executive session in November. In his remarks, O'Brien had tried to shift blame from the school board, but that didn't sit well with some in the audience.

"Every school board member here is complicit," Campbell said.

More than three dozen parents, some teachers, and students stood at the front of the auditorium to air their grievances with the district's leadership. They said they're bothered by the national trends of school violence, demanded to know why the district didn't follow its own policies to notify victims, accused administration of furthering an image that schools are safer and happier than they really are, and of shirking moral and legal obligations to all students and staff.

Others said problems with bullying in the district likely played a part in the November incident because they have yet to see adequate action from the district to curb such problems.

"Nothing was done," said Rhonda Morgan, a mother who accused the district of ignoring issues of sexual harassment, sexual assault and bullying. "I call for your resignation," she said, addressing O'Brien.

"I have questions and none of my questions have been answered," said Amanda Reed of Loysville. She too was concerned about the issues of bullying.

Nick Shope, a parent and alumnus, urged the district administration to improve communication. "Do the right thing, share the knowledge," he said.

Another mother said she moved her kids to West Perry hearing it was a quiet, safe district after her daughter survived a school shooting in South Carolina, which she said started with a kill list. Nothing will ever prepare people for the terror of that experience, she said.

She listened to O'Brien speak of his experience as an educator, peppered with small attempts to lighten the mood and promises to do better. She was not impressed.

"As you were talking," the mother said, "I was sick to my stomach."

Parents not only demanded a change at the top, but also in procedures for school safety, including some calling for metal detectors, safe entrances, and a greater law enforcement presence.

Students also captured the attention of the crowd, detailing their own experiences with bullying and demanding change.

"I thought coming to West Perry, I would be safe," said a junior female student. "I was on this kill list. This is ridiculous that this had to happen before you had to be involved."

Jillian Henoch said she moved to West Perry in fourth grade. She said as a light-skinned black girl, she noticed the lack of diversity but there were many good people, and she found a lot to like here. Until last year when she experienced her first instances of racial harassment: students running through school shouting slurs for black people and saying they want them all killed. "And the school did nothing!" she said through tears. "Please show me a difference."

"I'm proud of this district, but I'm not proud of this administration," said Nathan Sheriff, alleging that bullying is rampant.

J.P. Kelly, a senior, said he had met the accused student during tailgate parties his youth ministry sponsors before football games. He seemed like a nice kid, but he may have been bullied, Kelly said.

"We're demoralizing him, like he has no soul," he said. "How are we going to change?"

Cori Ritter, another student had a similar message, saying she wasn't perfect and may have contributed to problems over the years, but she defended O'Brien and other administrators, saying they were doing their best to make it a better place. She charged that parents complaining of bullying were doing the same to O'Brien.

"We're a community, and I think we should start acting like it," she said.